DURHAM, N.C. – Duke women’s lacrosse head coach Kerstin Kimel welcomed the addition of 11 players to the Blue Devil program this fall, with 10 freshmen and one transfer student joining the squad for the 2014 campaign.

Check back to GoDuke.com throughout the coming months for profiles on each of the incoming Blue Devils, and be sure to follow the team all year on Twitter and Facebook.

Prior to Duke: Morrissey took part in the Champion All-America Showcase over the summer, guiding Team Pride to the showcase title. She concluded her prep career with 144 goals, 72 assists, 110 draw controls and 143 ground balls while earning US Lacrosse All-America honorable mention accolades her final season. A two-time first team all-league selection, Morrissey joins the Blue Devils from Springside School in Philadelphia.

What is your favorite lacrosse memory?KM: The best lacrosse memory I have has to be when I played against my sister, Annie, who was a senior, during my junior year. We always battled with each other on the field, but she always won by a long shot when we played her team, Germantown Friends School. When we played my junior year, however, it was a different game than we were both used to. We were tied throughout the whole game and ended up losing by one. Even though we lost, it was really fun to play against Annie one last time and have it be such a close game.

When did you start playing lacrosse?KM: I first started playing lacrosse in fourth grade. I’ll never forget how frustrated I was during my first few practices because I couldn’t catch the ball. I played through fifth grade and then ran track during middle school. Before the spring of my freshman year, I decided to go back to lacrosse and pick up my stick again. Because my stick skills were far under par, I spent countless days playing against a wall in the gym. Slowly, my frustration started to fade.

Why did you choose Duke?KM: Having participated in many Duke Lacrosse camps gave me such a great opportunity to really take in all that Duke has to offer. They provided me with exposure to the school, the team, the coaching staff and the overall environment of the university. Each year coming back to camp has allowed me to learn something new about Duke. Duke provides me with the opportunity to balance exceptional academics with my passion for playing lacrosse at the next level. After visiting several other schools throughout my recruiting process, Duke was always the school that I was comparing other schools to. Visiting other schools helped me realize that I wanted Duke to be my home for the next four years.

What are your goals for your collegiate career?KM: I’m so excited to be a part of such a top Division I lacrosse program. My goal is to become the best player I can be while learning as much as I can in the process. Since Duke is such a fantastic academic institution, I plan on taking full advantage of the educational opportunities that exist.

Who has had the biggest impact on your life?KM: Every member of my family has shaped who I’ve become today. I have a different family structure compared to most people because of how many step and half siblings I have. I consider it to be a blessing because I have that many more people I can go to if I need advice or just someone to talk to who isn’t my immediate family.

Quick Hitters:Favorite athlete: Dana TorresHobbies: Horseback riding, exercising, hanging out with friends, walking my dogsFavorite movie: Forrest GumpFavorite TV show: Grey’s AnatomyFavorite book: The Great GatsbyFavorite musician: Miranda Lambert or anyone who sings country musicPre-game ritual/superstition: My step-father, Gard, passed away in 2010. Ever since, I write his initials on my left wrist before every game so I can look down and remind myself that he’s still watching over me.What do you plan to major in? I’m undecided right now, but I plan on studying sports medicine or kinesiology because I’m very interested in becoming a personal trainer.If you were to play another sport, what would it be? Gymnastics. It’s one of my favorite sports to watch because I think it’s so cool how gymnasts are able to contort their bodies and make it look so easy.Interesting fact about yourself: I have a scar on my left arm from going through a glass door when I was 10. Whenever someone asks me what it’s from I say a shark bit me.Best advice you’ve received: “You have to play big, in order to make the big play.” My step-dad always used to say this to me before games. Another one of my favorite quotes is “To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift.” My dad has a poster of Steve Prefontaine with this quote written across the bottom. He hung it in his office so I would always read it whenever I went in to see him.Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Hopefully with a job doing something that I love to do.

To be a part of the Duke women’s lacrosse program is … an honor. After following the Duke women’s lacrosse team for several years, I can’t believe I’m going to finally be a part of it. All of the girls on the team are welcoming and mature individuals. Kerstin, Kristen and Amanda are all so great and supportive.